Details of the annual flypast to mark The Queen’s official birthday were announced a couple of days ago – and despite some concerns about their itinerary, the Red Arrows WILL be part of the flypast again this year.

The flypast will be made up of 25 aircraft – 11 different types, from the World War ll Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster, to modern multi-role Typhoon fighters and the Red Arrows aerobatic display team. A Chinook and two Puma helicopters will lead the formation representing Joint Helicopter Command and the role of helicopters on Operations.

The various aircraft will head across Suffolk to Colchester, and at Fairlop in North-East London, the WWll aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will join the formation to lead the stream of fixed-wing aircraft over East London as they head towards Buckingham Palace.

Flypast Formation

Following the flypast over Buckingham Palace, the BBMF will head over to the RAF Museum at Hendon, North London, whilst the rest of the formation will continue on passing RAF Northolt (North-West London) and then over towards RAF Halton (Buckinghamshire).

The flypast takes place at 1pm over The Mall, just after the Trooping the Colour in Horseguards earlier in the morning.

If rain delays the flypast (weather forecast is light showers, so shouldn’t be a problem) then it will usually take place at 5pm instead.

The flypast is made up of 7 elements:

First element is to be one Chinook and two Puma helicopters provided by Joint Helicopter Command from RAF Odiham and RAF Benson.

Second element is to be the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; consisting of a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane provided by RAF Coningsby.

Third element is to be two C130 aircraft provided by RAF Lyneham escorted by two King Air provided by RAF Cranwell.

Fourth element is to be two Typhoon provided by RAF Leuchars and two Tornado GR4 provided by RAF Marham.

Fifth element is to be two HS-125 provided by RAF Northolt

Sixth element is to be nine RAFAT Hawks provided by RAF Scampton (aka, the Red Arrows).